The name of the Mascot of 44th Chess Olympiad hosted by Chennai in 2022 is ____?

Concept

A mascot is a symbolic figure (a person, animal, or object) officially adopted by an event to represent its identity, culture, and spirit. For major sporting events the host body designs and names a single official mascot that embodies the host region's character.

Application

The 44th Chess Olympiad was held at Mahabalipuram, near Chennai (Tamil Nadu), in 2022. Its official mascot was a knight (the horse chess piece) styled in a traditional Tamil dhoti with folded hands in a welcoming 'Vanakkam' gesture. This mascot was officially named Thambi, a Tamil word meaning 'younger brother', conveying warmth and hospitality to visiting players.

Contrast

• "Puruchhi" is not the name of any official Olympiad mascot; it is associated with the Tamil honorific 'Puratchi' (revolution) and is unrelated to the event.

• "Thilagam" (an ornamental forehead mark / honour) was never adopted as the event's mascot name.

• "Kaadal" (the Tamil word for 'love') has no connection to the Chess Olympiad's official mascot.

Cross-check

Contemporary reports from the launch by the Tamil Nadu government in 2022 confirm the official mascot's name, matching the value keyed here.